Nanguo Wudang Mountain

Nanguo Wudang Mountain

Wudang Mountain, located in Shiyang Town, Xintian County, is referred to as Nanguo Wudang Mountain to distinguish it from the Wudang Mountain in Hubei. Inscriptions on tablets at Nanguo Wudang Mountain prove that the name "Wudang" has existed since the Song Dynasty, and its religious history may even predate that of the Wudang Mountain in Hubei. "Wudang" means "only the true Martial God is worthy of this title," indicating that Wudang is the sacred birthplace of the "Xuanwu Tianzun," the deity revered in Chinese Taoism. Therefore, Nanguo Wudang Mountain is a blessed mountain and a dwelling place of immortals, serving as a sacred site where Buddhism and Taoism have coexisted and flourished for a thousand years. Entering Wudang Mountain, an ancient bluestone path winds its way up to the summit of the highest peak, Baimian Peak, guiding pilgrims and visitors on their spiritual journey. According to the Qing Dynasty stele inscription “Record of the Reconstruction of the Wudang Mountain Path,” there once stood the Xuan Emperor Hall atop Baimian Peak. During its peak pilgrimage periods, the mountain was crowded with worshippers shoulder to shoulder and back to back, so packed that people could only pass sideways. A thousand years have passed. The ancient path remains, but the Xuan Emperor Hall now stands solitary at the summit of Baimian Peak, with only its ruined remnants quietly telling the story of its former glory. Wudang Mountain features sites such as Xuanwu Mountain, Laozi Mountain, Divine Turtle Rock, Five-Finger Rock, and Immortal’s Chessboard, as well as numerous legends and ruins including the Xuan Emperor Hall, Main Temple, Feilong Mountain Temple, Qingquan Temple, Jingxian Temple, Fairy Maiden Hermitage, Immortal’s Cave, Crystal Cave, Three-Drink Spring, Immortal’s Footprint Spring, Galloping Stone Sheep, and Rice Well. Among the cultural relics, a national first-class treasure known as the “Sky-Bridge,” along with over thirty second-class Taoist paintings and ritual implements, all originate from within or around the Wudang Mountain area and are housed in Xintian County’s museum. Taoist cultural activities such as blessing ceremonies, exorcism rituals, water-and-land Dharma assemblies, and Taoist music remain active in the surrounding towns and villages to this day. All of this shows that Nanyue Wudang Mountain’s long-standing fame indeed has deep historical roots. Nanguo Wudang Mountain is a poem—fresh, elegant, wild, and carefree; it is a song—spirited, resonant, and enduringly melodious; it is a freshly bathed mountain maiden—graceful, charming, and naturally exquisite; it is a thick tome—steeped in the vicissitudes of history and imbued with endless mystery.

Archaeological experts have discovered that Wudang Mountain is rich in Buddhist and Taoist steles and cliff inscriptions, many of which date back to the Song and Yuan Dynasties or even earlier. Inscriptions such as those on the “Record of the Reconstruction of the Wudang Mountain Path” and the “Record of the Reconstruction of the Path to the Xuan Emperor Hall at Baimian Peak” tell us that since at least the Song Dynasty, Buddhist temples and Taoist monasteries have been built on Nanyue Wudang Mountain, with statues of deities such as Xuan Emperor, Sakyamuni, and Guanyin erected. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, eminent monks such as Mingxian, Gufeng, and Huiri presided over the Wudang Zen Forest. Historical records indicate that “Buddhist devotees traveled to this mountain through the ages,” and the mountain paths were “repaired through successive dynasties,” showing that golden statues and incense offerings have continued for a thousand years. At locations such as Niulang Bay on Wudang Mountain, multiple fragmentary steles have been found with inscriptions from the Qing Dynasty Kangxi, Qianlong, and Jiaqing eras, documenting the restoration of temples and the construction of side chambers. Scattered stone pillars and other temple components can be found throughout the area, particularly notable being the cliff engraving “Jun Ling Tian Yi” signed by “Gufeng,” whose elegant calligraphy and profound meaning make it a rare and captivating treasure. At the same time, cliff inscriptions and steles also confirm that the Jianwen Emperor of the Ming Dynasty once stayed and practiced at Nanguo Wudang Mountain, adding an air of mystery to this sacred site of blessings.

One kilometer away from Nanguo Wudang Mountain lies Divine Turtle Mountain, named for its turtle-like shape. Volume Five of the “Supplementary Annotations to the Songs of Chu” states: “Xuanwu refers to the turtle and snake, positioned in the north, hence called 'Xuan' (mysterious), and having scales, hence called 'Wu' (martial),” making it the “Heavenly Turtle Water Deity.” Local legend says that Nanguo Wudang Mountain has long been a sacred mountain and a blessed site because it is guarded by the Xuanwu Emperor, who has taken the form of a divine turtle.

“Step into Wudang’s scenery, and the heat of June turns to autumn.” Covering a total area of 46 square kilometers, Nanguo Wudang Mountain is covered with limestone, forming beautiful and diverse karst landforms. There are 108 peaks across the area, majestic, jagged, and varied in shape. The main peak, Baimian Peak, is known as the “famous scenic area of the county” and is described as “treacherous as the paths of Cancong.” The peaks, caves, and cliffs are numerous, each uniquely serene, steep, perilous, and profound. Springs and wells, represented by Goose Well and the Three-Drink Spring, offer sweet and clear water. The forest vegetation is rich and diverse, with well-preserved rare and ancient trees. The undulating peaks, uniquely shaped rock formations, majestic glacial stone waterfalls, deep and magnificent caves, the mysterious Immortal’s Chessboard, and more make Wudang Mountain vibrant, beautiful, and enchanting.